Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ The Yami Virus ❯ Why Does It Matter? ( Chapter 5 )

WARNINGS: ANZU BASHING AT THE END OF THIS CHAPPIE! MORE ANZU BASHING NEXT CHAPTER. Yes, I know Anzu isn't as bad as I make her out to be, but, this is just how I see her….pathetically annoying.

Dragon tears: Daniel is going to be one cool dad. He really likes Aten and does approve of their relationship later.

Shadow of Light: I don't act like that. Never have. Alarm goes on, I am awake. Mr. Gillam is needed later on in the future stories, so I can't get rid of him yet.

Ryou's Mistress: Marik is still at Captain Smiley Buns.

Terra: Aria loves her brother. She's very protective of him, moreso when she is in her yami form. Oh, this is the chappie that I told you about on AIM, by the way.

Lady Elfskye: Ryou is a great parent. Aten knows he had a problem and accepts it for what it is. Yeah, he wants a better heart, but he seems much more braver than a normal kid should be.

Broken Time: Aria and Aten don't represent the family chibi. Aten is literally a part of me. He represents all I've gone through. And Aria is kinda the comic relief. I needed someone like Aria to balance Aten's character a little better.

thunderchaos: Coughing seems to be the first symptom. I'm writing chappie 10 now and the next stage of the virus begins.

Mystical Dragon: HEY! Haven't seen you in forever! If you can't access this site, maybe you can access my website instead. I have to put the yami virus up yet.

Kura magician girl: What background info do you need? I can answer your questions.

Valea: Why are you upset, babe? Daddy Bakura is a kick-ass daddy!

bakachibi voidfox: nope…can't tape dust.

Roxria: *blushes* Thank you! *hugs*

seto lover and bakruasgirl worshipper: *shudders at the thought of anzu* WHO MISSED ANZU BASHING???

Why Does It Matter?

Robbie sat with his mother at the dinner table. She gave him some macaroni and cheese with his fish sticks. Robbie squeezed some ketchup on his plate for his fish sticks and licked his lips.

"This is really great, mommy!"

"Thank you, honey. How was school today?"

Robbie snickered. "Umi and Aria have to do a project on sharks for the class. You know what, mommy? Umi likes Aria. He likes her a lot."

Miranda smiled. "Really? Umi's a nice boy for Aria."

"Hayden Kaiba and I have to do a project on whales."

Miranda snickered. "Oh, really? So, we'll have to go see Seto Kaiba, hmm? The last time we saw him it was Christmas time last year."

Robbie smiled. "Hayden, Aten, and I had so much fun last Christmas! It was a real blast!"

"Well, if you boys want to learn about whales, we can go to the Domino Aquarium."

Robbie smiled. "Wow! Can we? Can we bring Aten, too?"

Miranda smiled. "I don't see why not."

Robbie took a bite of his macaroni and cheese. "Mommy, Mr. Gillam called me and Aten something today and I don't know what he meant."

"What did he say?"

Robbie bit into his fish stick covered in ketchup. "When I said hello to him, he said he wouldn't talk to fag kids like me and Aten."

Miranda dropped her fork full of macaroni and cheese. "He said what??!"

"He said he wouldn't talk to fag kids like myself and Aten. What does 'fag' mean?"

Miranda took a bite of her fish stick and put her fork down. "Well, Robbie…remember you said that Umi likes Aria? Well, many boys like girls. Many girls like boys. But, there are some boys who love other boys and there are girls that love other girls. Some people find themselves being attracted by both girls and boys. What Mr. Gillam called you is a very bad word."

"Boys can like other boys? Like Aten's mommy is a boy and Bakura is a boy?"

Miranda nodded. "Bakura and Ryou are married. They are two boys and they love each other very much. Same thing with Aten's daddy and Malik."

Robbie took a bite of his macaroni and cheese. "Well, why was Mr. Gillam so mean?"

"Well, Robbie, many people think that it is wrong for boys to love other boys or for girls to love other girls. Some people think it is very bad for boys to love other boys."

Robbie shrugged. "As long as people love each other, why does it matter?"

"Some people want to hurt people who are gay. 'Gay' means that someone who is a boy loves another boy. Mr. Gillam called you a very bad word for a boy who likes another boy."

Robbie sipped his juice. "But, why would Mr. Gillam want to be mean? I was just being polite when I said hello to him."

"He doesn't like boys who like other boys, Robbie. I want you to be very careful around him, Robbie."

Robbie nodded. "I will, mommy. I like Aten a lot. Does that make me gay?"

Miranda reached across the table. "You're friends, Robbie. But, if you choose to love Aten, Robbie, your father and I will not love you any less."

Robbie smiled. "Really?"

Miranda nodded. She ruffled her son's hair. "You bet, little soldier!"

"Did the doctors tell you what was wrong with Aten? Was it his heart?"

The smile on Miranda's face faded and she sat back down. He sipped her glass of milk and prepared herself to tell Robbie that Aten was diagnosed with heart failure and that he could not be cured.

Knowing how deeply Robbie cared for Aten since they were three, she knew she was in for a tough night.

***********************

Aria sat at the kitchen table doing her homework with Malik's help. Aten was playing with Ryou on the floor. They were trying to do a puzzle. Aten's teacher had told Ryou that if they worked on a puzzle together, Aten may have an easier time connecting the shape of letters to specific sounds. Certain pieces of the puzzle fit together just like certain sounds fit certain letters. The teacher suggested that anything Ryou could do to help Aten, he should try. Mr. Cullen, Aten's kindergarten teacher and current tutor, told Ryou this could help Aten with those difficult "C' and "K" sounds indirectly.

Aten put a piece of the puzzle together and Ryou smiled.

"Good job, Aten."

"Mommy, tan I ass you a qesson?"

Ryou nodded and completed another part of the puzzle. "Yes?"

"Mr. Gillam said a bad word to me and Robbie today. I don't know what it means."

"What did he say?"

"Robbie said hello to Mr. Gillam today and he said that he not talt to us betaws we are….umm…'fag tids'."

Marik and Bakura turned their heads sharply. "What?!"

Marik and Bakura hovered over Aten. The boy looked up at his father's, their hair spiking and twitching. Their canines sharpened as they growled.

Aten shifted back towards his mother, gripping onto his arm. The boy shook nervously as the two yami-fathers stood over him menacingly.

"He talled me and Robbie 'f-fag t-t-tids," Aten shivered.

Marik turned to Bakura. "I think it's time we talked to Mr. Gillam."

Marik and Bakura left the house. Aten turned to Ryou.

"Mommy, Mr. Gillam talled me a bad word, didn't he?"

Ryou sighed. "Yes, honey. It's a bad word."

"What does it mean?"

Ryou knew this would become an issue as Aten and Aria grew up. There would be people who didn't appreciate that he had two fathers and who were gay. He also knew that Aten wouldn't be able to escape such derogatory comments by narrow-minded people who believed that a child could only be raised by a father and a mother rather than four gay men who lived together in the same household.

"Aten, it is a very bad word for a boy who loves another boy."

"Like you and Daddy Bakura?"

Ryou nodded. "Yes, baby."

"Oh. Why would Mr. Gillam tall me that?"

"Because Mr. Gillam doesn't like the idea that a boy could like or love another boy."

Aten shrugged. "But, why? You and Daddy Bakura love eash other. Why would that be bad?"

"It isn't bad, baby. I love Bakura, Marik, and Malik."

Aten scratched his hair. "Boys are only supposed to love girls, aren't they?"

Ryou shook his head. "Baby boy, you can love whomever you want. Boys don't have to love girls. I don't love girls. I don't find girls as attractive as Bakura."

"Don't you thint that Robbie's mommy is pretty?"

Ryou nodded. "Oh, she is pretty, Aten. But, I'm more attracted to Bakura."

"Oh. I lite Robbie a lot, mommy."

"I know you do, Aten. But there are some people who think it is wrong or disgusting that I would love another man. Some people think that boys shouldn't love other boys."

Aten hugged Ryou. "But, you are the best mommy I ever had! I love Daddy Bakura and my daddy! It's not nize that someone would tall somebody that!"

Ryou hugged back. "No, it's not, Aten. But, you know what, honey? I don't mind if you love Robbie. That's okay."

"Really?"

Ryou smiled and kissed Aten's forehead. "You're my son, Aten. If you ever loved another boy, I would still love you."

Aten smiled and sighed as he was wrapped in Ryou's arms.

***************

Marik and Bakura knocked on Mr. Gillam's door. Mr. Gillam opened the door and Marik grabbed the man's throat.

He walked into the home and Bakura shut the door behind them.

Marik pinned the man against the wall. "So….I hear you think calling our kids 'fags' makes you feel like a big man. Well? Does it?"
Mr. Gillam sneered at Marik. "I'm a bigger man than you two sissies!"

Marik held the Millennium Rod to Gillam's throat. "I'd watch myself, mortal. I highly doubt a sissy would be as close as I am to taking your narrow-minded, pompous ass and breaking every single bone in your body." Marik's eyes glowed fiery red as Gillam heard lightening crash outside. Pouring rain slammed against the windows of Gillam's house. The lights in the house turned off as if the house lost power.

The lightening flashed through the house, making the flashes illuminate Marik's furious face and Gillam's terror.

Bakura pulled out the dagger he always kept hidden by his side. He put the dagger to Gillam's throat. "If you knew my past, you would think twice before calling me anything that might make me…..upset."

Marik snarled. "If you want to keep your skin intact, Mr. Gillam, I suggest you leave our sons alone before they take the next ten years trying to put you back together piece by piece."

Bakura narrowed his eyes and a purple haze surrounded them. "You know what, Gillam? You come near our children again, and you'll be lucky if they find any piece of you left!"

A large insect stepped into Gillam's living room. "My Man-Eater Bug is hungry, Gillam. I wonder if your body would appease its taste for blood and flesh."

From behind the Man-Eater Bug came The Helpless Child, a three year old blond-haired and purple-eyed boy who looked like Aten. He stepped beside Marik. "Don't hurt my Master Aten. The Man-Eater Bug will eat you all up into tiny, tiny, tiny pieces! And you don't wanna be buggie food. You'd be all icky, slimy, and dead!"

"So, do we have an understanding?" Bakura asked as the Man Eater Bug approached.

Gillam's body started to shake as his eyes opened wide at the Duel Monster in front of him. From the purple haze, the White Magical Hat appeared and tapped his cane against the floor.

"Now, Now," said the man in the white hat calmly. "Man Eater Bug? Get back here. Step back."

The Man Eater Bug stood behind the White Magical Hat.

"Helpless Child?"

The Helpless Child took the White Magical Hat's hand.

A loud dragon's roar resonated from the purple haze.

Marik grinned. "That would be the Winged Dragon of Ra, Gillam. Have you ever seen an Egyptian God before? You touch my son or come near him again and you will see the face of Ra sooner than you think. Do we understand each other?"

The Man Eater Bug roared its displeasure.

"Yes! Yes!"

The White Magical Hat turned. "Back, Man Eater Bug! Come, child." The White Magical Hat and the other Duel Monsters disappeared into the Shadow Realm.

The purple haze lifted. The rain and lightening stopped.

Marik growled. "Come near my son again and your skinless corpse will be bug food! Have a good night, Mr. Gillam."

Bakura opened the door and shut the door behind him, leaving Gillam shaking in fear.

*********************

Hayden opened his eyes as he stretched on his bed. He looked over at the clock: 8:45. Hayden rubbed his blue-green eyes and ran his fingers through his red hair.

It had just been in the past six months that Hayden started trying to sleep in the bed. Hayden still slept on the bed on his carpet or under the bed many nights.

Hayden hardly slept on the bed. He was adopted five years ago by Joey and Seto. His uncle had always locked him in an empty room with no bed. The only time he was on a bed is when his uncle or one of his "clients" were raping or beating him.

Joey and Seto had adopted Hayden and allowed him to sleep in the bed whenever he was ready.

It took five years for Hayden to gather the courage one night to try to sit on the bed. That was hard.

The first night Hayden tried to sit on the bed, he sat on it for one minute. After that, he ran to Joey, tears soaking his clothes.

In the past six months he had slept on the bed three times. This would be the fourth time in six months he slept on his bed.

The carpet on the floor was more than often his bed.

Hayden jumped out of bed and ran to the door. He ran down the hallway and gently pushed open the door to Joey and Seto's bedroom.

Hayden sneaked up to the bed and found some of their bedsheets pulled out from the bed.

He giggled and crawled under the sheets. He snickered as he looked at Seto's bare feet.

"Tickle, tickle, tickle," Hayden laughed as he began to tickle Seto's feet.

Seto's feet twitched and he let out a moan in his sleep.

Hayden laughed as Seto wiggled his toes. "Tickle, tickle, tickle," Hayden snickered again as he tickled Seto's feet again.

Seto's body twitched. "Mokuba, stop that," Seto whined as he slept.

"I'm not Mokuba, Mr. Kaiba," Hayden said tickling Seto further.

Joey opened his eyes and saw a lump at the bottom of the bed. "Hayden Kaiba?" Joey whispered.

Hayden crawled to the top of the bed and Joey bit his lip trying to control his urge to hug his adopted son until he stopped breathing.

Hayden's head popped out from under the covers and he smiled. "Morning, daddy!"

Joey smiled. "Morning, Hayden. That's not how you tickle Seto. Let me show you."

Hayden crawled on Joey's other side and Joey grinned evilly.

He dug his fingers into Seto's side and tickled his ribs.
"MORNING, SETO! TICKLE, TICKLE, TICKLE!"

Seto opened his eyes and let out a high-pitched screech. "PUPPY!"

Seto writhed as Joey tickled him. Hayden fell over laughing as tears came from Seto's eyes. A naked Joey straddled his lover's waist and tickled him.

Hayden laughed, holding his sides, seeing his two naked adoptive fathers getting into a tickling match.

Five years ago, if he had seen Joey or Seto naked, it would have frightened him. All of his uncle's "clients" were men, many of them older and strong.

Joey and Hayden had been going to Aten's psychologist, Dr. Chapman for the past five years. Hayden had made some progress. The proof that Hayden was staying in his bed periodically was enough for Seto. Joey had gone to Chapman for his drinking problem and help with coping with the memories of sexual abuse by his father that started when he was seven years old.

Joey tickled Seto until Seto fell back limp on the bed panting. Joey laughed. "Do you surrender, Seto?"

Seto took Joey's shoulders and pulled him down for a kiss. "No bone for you, puppy."

Joey pouted.

Hayden laughed. "No dog biscuits for daddy!"

Joey turned red. "Keep thinking that, Hayden."

Seto looked over at Hayden. "This was your idea, wasn't it, Hayden?"

Hayden nodded excitedly. Seto reached for Hayden and Hayden crawled beside Seto. The CEO brought his adopted son into his arms and hugged him against his body.

Joey raised an eyebrow as Hayden sighed contentedly. This was progress. Hayden was in bed with two naked men and being held by one of them. He seemed perfectly happy where he was.

Joey removed himself from Seto's body and laid on Hayden's other side. The two men cuddled the child between them.

Joey looked up. "It's time for the news!"

"I'm hungry, Mr. Kaiba."

"Yeah me, too. Let's go get some breakfast."

Seto and Joey wore their bathrobes to breakfast. Mokuba was sitting at the table watching the news on the television in the Dining Hall. In front of him were computer diagrams and textbooks.

He was taking classes at a local college for Computer Design. He had just started taking his classes.

Mokuba looked up. "Hey, guys! The news just came on!"

Seto went into the kitchen to tell the cook they were ready for breakfast.

He returned to the table with a glass of cold orange juice for Hayden. The cook served Seto his Eggs Benedict with a side of fried potatoes. Joey salivated when he looked at his Cheese, Ham, and Onion omelet. "Chow Time!"

Hayden had some eggs, toast, and potatoes.

The news anchor came on the television. "The victims of the U.S.S. Gallant bombing are expected to arrive home today. Seven men were killed in that bombing, including Domino resident Engineer Vincent Ford. Mr. Ford leaves behind a wife and two sons."

Joey shook his head. "Such a shame."

"Nobody has yet claimed responsibility for the bombing."

Hayden turned to Joey. "Someone in my class has the last name Ford. Jason Ford. I wonder if it's his daddy."

"I don't know, son. You'll see on Monday."

Hayden gasped. "Oh! I forgot! Robbie Morgan and I have to work on a project about whales."

Seto sighed. "Aten's friend, Robbie?"

Hayden nodded. "Yeah."

"His mother worries me."

Joey laughed. "Seto, she only tortures you because she knows it makes your stomach upset!"

Seto sighed. "Did you see what she got me last Christmas? She got me a lacy, red bra with lacy, red, dainty panties!"

Joey laughed. "Seto, she knows the idea of anything related to women or femininity makes your stomach upset!"

Seto rolled his eyes. "It does, but that's not the point!"

Joey leaned on his elbow. "This is why we adopted a boy because I couldn't see you raising a girl. You know what? If we had a girl, we'd have to buy her a training bra."

Seto clasped his hands over his ear. "LA! LA! LA! I don't hear anything!"

Joey laughed. "BRA, SETO! BRA! BRA! BRA!"

Seto turned pale while and Joey returned to eating.

"See? You get all squeamish. In fact, I hear that Aria's going to need to get herself into a bra soon. Have you noticed she's starting to develop breasts, Seto?"

Seto turned white as a ghost and walked to the table in the Dining Hall. He shoved two stomach pills in his mouth.

"I don't want to think about Aria developing br-br-br-….I can't say it, Joey!"

Joey snickered. "What? Breasts? You can't say breasts? Why can't you say breasts? Say it with me….BR-EA-STS!"

Seto sat down and shoved a forkful of food into his mouth and chewed it. "Pain in my ass."

Joey smiled. "Mmm…pain in your ass."

Mokuba turned to the two arguing lovers. "I can't hear the news if you keep yelling about breasts and bras, guys! I can't concentrate on breasts…I meant homework, while doing homework!"

Joey snickered. "Yeah, Seto. What happens when Mokuba gets a girlfriend?"

Seto leaned forward in his chair, resting his head in his hands. "Dear Ra, why me?"

"I have a girlfriend, Joey! Well…it's not official yet, but we are good friends."

Seto shook his head. "My brother is straight….*sigh*. Well, Mokuba, if you ever bring her to see me, she had better be wearing nothing too….revealing."

Hayden finished his breakfast and his juice when he rubbed his belly contentedly full.

The picture next to the news anchor changed and Hayden froze.

He gripped the side of the chair and started to whimper.

Seto and Joey stopped and saw Hayden's body freeze, his lip started to tremble. They both went to Hayden.

"Son? Hayden? What's wrong?" Joey asked as he waved his hand in front of Hayden's face.

Hayden didn't react.

"Hayden?" Seto snapped his fingers.

Hayden didn't react.

Seto and Joey looked at the screen and saw a man in his forties in handcuffs in a court room.

The news anchor said, "Forty-One year old Charlie McGinnis is back in court today for his parole hearing. Mr. McGinnis faces charges of child pornography, child abuse, child neglect, and statutory rape in a case we reported five years ago. Mr. McGinnis had custody of his nephew, Hayden McGinnis. Police raided his home on an anonymous tip that the boy was being abused. Police found the boy locked in a closet with no food or water. The child had been found naked, with his arms tied behind his back, gagged, and was suffering from malnourishment. The police estimate that the child had not eaten or had left the closet for a period of four days. The police found numerous photos and home movies of the child in sexually explicit positions as well as the child performing sexual acts with other adult males. Mr. McGinnis had also established a website where he placed these photos and home movies. Mr. McGinnis has denied the allegations that he sexually molested his nephew who was five at the time, despite visual evidence that he was indeed involved in the abuse of the boy. Mr. McGinnis is currently serving a twenty year sentence for his crimes. This is his second parole hearing. The courts will decide if Mr. McGinnis will be released early or will serve the rest of his sentence. Mr. McGinnis attempted to contest his sentence, claiming insanity. A psychologist had determined that Mr. McGinnis was indeed not insane at the time that these atrocities were committed."

Hayden's face went pale and he let out a shriek of pain. "I HAVE TO GET OUT OF HERE!"

Hayden jumped out of his chair, but Joey grabbed him by the shoulder.

Hayden turned around and saw his uncle staring him in the face.

//You've been a bad boy, Hayden! Time for you to be locked in your closet!// he heard his uncle say in his head.

Hayden clenched his fists and punched Joey between his legs. Joey collapsed, releasing Hayden.

Hayden ran from the Dining Hall, pursued by Seto.
"Hayden! Hayden! He won't be set free!"

Hayden turned and saw his uncle running behind him.

//You can't get away from me! I'll beat you from here to hell and back!// his uncle's voice growled to him from behind him.

"Hayden, hold on! Wait!" Seto cried out as he saw Hayden run into his office.

Seto stopped outside the door. Hayden never went into his office. Hayden was always afraid of the desk in the office. Hayden never told Seto about the encounters with his uncle on a desk that looked exactly like the desk in Kaiba's office.

He heard Hayden sobbing from inside. Seto turned the doorknob.

Hayden always locked a door when he went into these types of flashbacks.

Seto opened the door and found Hayden on his stomach, laying on the desk, sobbing into the paperwork below his face, his legs dangling off of the side of the desk.

Seto approached slowly, the CEO's face flooding with worry. "Hayden?"

Hayden had pulled down his pyjama bottoms and his underwear. His body was bent over the desk, his buttocks exposed.

"Hayden, son? What are you doing?"

"Uncle Charlie?"

Seto felt his heart sink. Hayden was caught in another flashback.

"No, Hayden, I am not Uncle Charlie."

Hayden didn't lift his head. He kept his head down, his arms now became stretched over the desk.

"I ran from you," Hayden sobbed.

"No, Hayden, I understand. You were scared by the news report."

Hayden sobbed. "I ran from you. I'm ready to take my punishment."

Hayden spread his legs and his body tensed up.

Seto bit his lip. "Hayden….your uncle took you on a desk that looked like mine…..didn't he? Is that why you are afraid of my desk?"

"I ran from you. I deserve my punishment."

"Your uncle always did this on the desk, didn't he?"

Hayden lifted his head slowly. Tears were soaking the paper below him. "Why aren't you pinning me down and taking me?"

Seto walked over to Hayden and the boy's body instinctively prepared for what always came after his uncle stood behind him as he lay on the desk.

Seto took Hayden's underwear and pants and pulled them up.

Seto picked up the ten year old boy and sat on his desk chair. He cradled Hayden against his body and rocked him in the chair.

"Hayden…..you never told us your uncle took you on a desk like this."

Hayden started to wail and cry. His body started to shake as he gripped onto Kaiba desperately.

Seto kissed Hayden's cheek, tears coming down his own cheek. "Hayden, I've had to face these demons, too. My step-father."

Hayden lifted his eyes to Seto. "Can you hold me, tighter, Mr. Kaiba? Please? I don't want Uncle Charlie to find me."

Seto rocked the boy in his arms. "That man is not going to find you, Hayden. Joey and I are going to protect you, son. The phone on the desk rang.

Seto picked it up. "Kaiba."

"Sir, Ryou Bakura and his family are here to see you."

"Send them up."

Seto held Hayden close to his body as Ryou and the family entered the office. Ryou, Marik, Bakura, and Malik's jaws dropped as they saw Seto sitting on the chair cradling Hayden in his lap.

"Seto, is everything---?"

Seto shook his head to Ryou's question. Ryou knew the look Seto was giving him. It was the classic 'Don't ask' look.

Aten and Aria ran up to Seto. "Unkie Seto!"

Both of them stopped when they saw Hayden shivering in the CEO's arms.

"Aiden?" Aten asked as he put a hand on Hayden's foot. "Aiden? Did you have a bad dream, too, last night?"

Hayden stared at Aten as if he didn't recognize who he was.

"Aiden? It's me. Aten."

Aria raised an eyebrow. "Hayden? Did you have a bad nightmare?"

Hayden used to be Aria's mortal enemy. She always accused him of trying to take Seto away from her. However, it was Aten who stepped between Hayden and Aria one day. Aten told Aria everything that his grandfather had done to him and it wasn't right that she was hurting someone who went through what he had to endure. Since then, Aria had come to see Hayden as someone who had suffered like her brother. Aria had comforted her brother during his flashbacks and nightmares and found some measure of sympathy for Hayden.

Seto looked down at Hayden. "You want to go to the aquarium today, Hayden?"

Hayden shuddered. "What if my uncle is waiting outside?"

Aria snarled. "Then I'm going to yell and scream and kick and punch and say really bad words to him! I'll keep the mean people away from you, Hayden!"

Aria's canines continued to make him nervous, but Aten's calm, compassionate demeanor made him more relaxed.

"Aiden, you can hold my hand if you want. My sister will teep away bad peeptles."

Hayden reached for Aten's hand and took it.

"Go get dressed and wash up, Hayden."

Hayden slid off Seto's lap and walked behind Aten. Aria and Aten escorted Hayden to his room, with Aria snarling down the hallway.

A moment later the phone rang again. Miranda and Robbie were downstairs. Seto told them to come up and reached into his drawer to pick up some stomach medication.

Marik laughed. "She's not even here and you need a stomach pill?"

Seto narrowed his eyes. "You have no idea what that woman does to me!"

Marik grinned. "You have no idea what she does to me, either." Marik purred like a kitten.

Seto rolled his eyes. "Please, Marik. Don't make me take another stomach pill."

Marik put his arm around Malik and pulled the blond hikari to him. "I already have my…pussycat. Don't I, Malik?"

Marik pulled Malik into a hot, passionate kiss. Seto groaned. "That's it! You killed my appetite for the rest of the day. Hope you're happy."

"Very."

Seto arranged the papers on his desk. Ryou watched as Seto's body shook nervously.

"Seto, what was wrong with Hayden?"

Seto growled. "His uncle is up for parole. The courts may release him."

Malik pulled back from the kiss. "But…he only served five years of his sentence! How could he get out so soon?"

Seto stood up and slammed the palms of his hands on the desk. "That man is NOT getting out of prison if my money has anything to say about it!"

Seto's hands clenched into fists. "I'll be dead in the cold, cold ground before that asshole has a chance to touch my son!"

Bakura walked to the chair in front of Seto's desk and sat down. Miranda and Robbie entered the room.

Robbie ran up to Ryou, tears in his eyes. "Where's Aten?"

"He's in Hayden's room. It's the room on the left by the elevator as soon as you came up."

Robbie limped from the room as fast as his bad foot could carry him.

Miranda sat on the chair beside Bakura. "That was a rough night. I don't think I ever had a night like that since I brought him home from the hospital."

Ryou gripped Miranda's shoulders. "You told him about Aten?"

Miranda nodded. She rubbed her forehead. "The hardest part was hearing him cry all night. Ryou, he couldn't even cry himself to sleep it was that bad."

Seto raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Marik moved a pile of papers and sat on Seto's desk.

Ryou took Bakura's hand. "Seto, Aten was rushed to the hospital the other night with chest pains. Dr. Zira told us that Aten is in the early stages of heart failure."

Seto dropped his pen and his jaw dropped. His eyes became glassy. "What? Aten?"

Ryou nodded. "Dr. Zira said he can't do anything for Aten."

Seto narrowed his eyes. "He has to be able to do something!"

"Aten needs a pacemaker. His heartbeat is abnormal. He said it was terminal."

Seto shook his head. "This is going to break Joey's heart. Joey loves Aten. Who is he going to paint with if Aten isn't here?"

Ryou squeezed his husband's hand. "I know."

"How long did Zira say Aten had to live?"

Marik shrugged. "He doesn't know."

Seto stood up and walked to the glass wall. He looked down into the traffic below. He wiped his eyes free of tears, not wanting anyone to see him cry.

Miranda sighed. "Telling Joey is going to be hard for you, Seto. I wouldn't be surprised if Robbie was in there sobbing on Aten already. I really hope Daniel can talk to him when he comes home."

Seto turned to the group. "Daniel?"

"My husband. He was one of the men hurt in that terrorist bombing of the U.S.S. Gallant. He's coming home today."

"If you're going to the aquarium, your house will be locked."

Miranda shook her head. "No, he's not coming home until tonight."

Bakura let out another sigh and rubbed his forehead. Bakura's headache had not stopped since that morning. He dismissed it as residuals of Ryou's emotional state. Maybe Ryou was focusing all of his tension through the mindlink, causing Bakura to have one hell of a migraine.

Seto returned to his desk. "Could I talk to Ryou alone for a moment?"

Bakura stood up from the chair with a wince and walked out of the room with everyone else.

Seto waited for the doors to the office to close. Ryou sat down in the chair in front of Seto's desk. Blue eyes locked with teary chocolate brown.

"Talk to me, Ryou."

Ryou sniffled. "I'm scared, Seto. I don't want to lose Aten."

Seto sat in the chair beside Ryou. Seto leaned forward, putting a consoling hand on Ryou's shoulder. "You are not going to lose your son, Ryou. I've always been there for you to help you when you needed me. I was here for you when Bakura beat you senseless. I was here when your father tried to kill you and needed your own pacemaker. When Aria and Aten were born, I was right there for you. Five years ago when your house burned to the ground and you lost everything, I bought you that house you are living in now. Ryou, I would never leave you stranded. I care too much about you."

Ryou took Seto's shoulders and pulled Seto against his body. Ryou sobbed into Seto's shoulder. "I'm going to lose my baby."

Seto rubbed Ryou's back. "Aten's going to have the best care money can buy, Ryou. If it is a pacemaker he needs, send me the bill for the surgery. If he needs a new heart, I'll find one. If he needs……" Seto buried his face in the white hair below his chin. "If Aten needs arrangements….I will arrange it."

Ryou nodded. "Thank you, Seto."

Seto gave Ryou a soft kiss on the cheek. "I'll do everything I can to help you, Ryou. I love those kids. I don't want you to worry about Aten's medical care, Ryou. It's taken care of. You just concentrate on Aten. Does he know?"

Ryou nodded. "He knows. Marik and I told him the morning after."

"Tell me he didn't cry. It breaks my heart to see that boy cry."

"No. He is a little scared of the surgery, though. He just wants the pain to stop in his heart. We're hoping the pacemaker would help reduce that."

Seto nodded. "Have you scheduled the surgery?"

"No. I have to take Aten to the hospital today for some blood tests. They want to take Aria's blood, too, in case Aten ever needs it for the future."

Seto raised an eyebrow. "Does Aten need a blood test for his pacemaker?"

Ryou shook his head. "No, but Zira wants to store blood for him in case he needs it for the future. If Aten does need it in the future, Zira doesn't want to use a stranger's blood. The only match in the family for Aten's blood type is Aria. So, they want to store some blood from her, too, in case of an emergency."

Seto nodded. "Zira is a good doctor. I wouldn't have picked him for my doctor if he wasn't the best doctor in Domino."

"Seto, I don't know what to say."

"Look, Ryou, why don't Joey and I take the kids tonight? You look like you haven't slept at all."

Ryou shook his head. "I haven't."

"I'll take the kids tonight. I'll take the kids to the Domino Aquarium, take the kids to the hospital and get them their blood tests, and bring them back here."

Ryou took Seto's hand. "Aten's on restricted liquids. He can only have a quarter of a glass of water for dinner. No liquids after supper. Aten has water pills to take to reduce the fluid in his lungs. I can bring them over later."

"Sure. Bring them over at any time during the day. The guards will keep them for us until we return."

Ryou snapped his fingers. "He's also on new medication. I'll bring them over, too."

Seto brushed Ryou's hair behind his ears. "I want you to take a nice bath tonight and relax, Ryou. The kids are in good hands here. You just relax and take some time for yourself."

Ryou nodded. "I'll try."

"That's my boy," Seto said brushing the remains of Ryou's hair behind his shoulders. Ryou cringed as he heard his friend mutter that phrase. That same phrase was muttered numerous times during his abduction by his father. Even after five years, he couldn't shake the feelings of shame and disgust that accompanied that phrase.

************************

Seto and the others entered the limousine when it pulled in front of them. Aria and Aten jumped up and down.

"Donny!" Aria squealed.

"Bonnie!" Aten cheered.

Donny sighed. Aten was capable of calling Donny by his full name, but Aten had become so accustomed to 'Bonnie' that the man had no other name.

Miranda smiled at Seto and crossed her legs. She arranged her shirt, knowing Seto's reaction. Seto had a lump form in his throat and he swallowed hard as she arranged her shirt. Seto felt relieved he had plenty of stomach medication in his pocket. If Miranda was going to do this to him all day, he would need every stomach pill he could grab. She folded her hands on her lap and stuck out her chest slightly.

"So, Seto, are you excited about going to see the aquarium?"

Joey bit his lip trying not to laugh as Seto's color drained from his face. For once, the mighty CEO was speechless.

Miranda twirled her black hair around her finger and winked at him.

Seto's hand went to his stomach and he cleared his throat. "Oh…umm….yes?"

Miranda looked over at her side and saw Aten and Robbie looking out of the tinted windows. Both of the boys were holding hands.

Aria and Hayden were looking out of the other windows.

Miranda moved her bare leg so it "accidentally" brushed against Seto's leg. "Oh, I'm sorry, Seto. I've never been in the back of a limo before."

Joey tried not to laugh harder as Seto's eyes widened in horror that a part of a woman touched him.

Miranda smiled devilishly at Seto, continuing her fun sport. "So, Seto, do you think we're going to see any…sperm whales?

Seto swallowed hard and gripped the seat tightly. "Umm…I….maybe."

Joey covered his mouth, trying not to burst out laughing and alert the children in the limo as to Miranda and Seto's conversation.

"Do you think we'll find any cockshells?"

Joey's face was turning red from suppressed laughter.

"Do you like birds, Seto? Maybe the next time, we can go to the Domino Bird Sanctuary. I hear they have a new woodpecker."

Joey burst out into laughter as Seto became deathly pale. Miranda laughed hard, almost falling over into Seto's lap in front of her.

The children turned to the adults.

"What's so funny, mommy?" Robbie asked his mother.

"Nothing, dear! Oh gods! Seto, I'm only playing with you!"

Seto shook his head and crossed his arms in front of him. "Miranda, you are going to be the death of me."

Miranda crossed her arms, mimicking Seto. "You'd think you'd know me better after five years, Seto Kaiba! I love to terrorize you for the shock value!"

Seto pointed to his lover. "Terrorize Joey! Joey likes it!"

Joey grinned. "I wouldn't mind it if Miranda terrorized me." Joey licked his lips.

Seto shuddered. "I'm surrounded."

Miranda chuckled. "I could terrorize Joey, but you're much more fun…and easier!"

Seto sighed in defeat. "Why me?"

************************

They arrived at the aquarium. Donny placed a pistol in his suit jacket and opened the door for Seto. Seto trusted Donny with his life. Donny was an expert sharpshooter. He was deadly with his weapon and never missed his target. Donny had training as a sniper in the military. He was a valuable asset to Seto's "Public Relations Department." He had saved Seto's life numerous times with his sniper skills. Yet, with the children, he was playful and gentle.

Robbie held onto Aten's hand with one hand and his mother with his other hand. Hayden and Aria held onto each of Seto's hands. Joey paid the entrance fee for the group and the woman said they would be given a complimentary tour guide.

The tour guide came out of a door.

Joey and Seto's eyes widened in horror. Aten screamed and clutched onto Robbie.

A familiar, annoying, brainless girl stood before them. "LET'S GO SEE THE FISHY-WISHIES! FISH ARE LIKE FRIENDSHIP! YEAH FRIENDSHIP!"

REQUEST: Okay! I want to put this story on my website, but I can't find any pictures that would go with this story! From now until…let's say Next Friday, I'll be accepting drawings to go with this story.

I'd like to have a Ryou holding an unconscious Bakura if possible, but it's not limited to that. THE WINNING ARTIST GETS A PWP WRITTEN FOR THEM….ANY PAIRING!!!! EXCEPT ANZU! NO ANZU PAIRINGS! I can do Yuri, but I really prefer Yaoi.

I need the pics in .jpg or .jpeg formatting. GOOD LUCK!!

Email entries to: chibiryou1025@hotmail.com

Updates: Sunday

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